Residents urged to use licensed waste carriers

27 May 2026

West Northamptonshire Council is reminding residents to take care when arranging rubbish removal.

The Council has seen more posts on social media where people ask for or offer help to take away waste. While many are genuine, some are not licensed to carry and dispose of waste.

Using an unlicensed person may lead to the waste being fly tipped. This harms the environment and can cost taxpayers money to clean up. Residents can also be held responsible if their waste is found to have been fly tipped.

The Council is asking everyone to take a few simple steps before handing over their waste:

• Check the person or company is a registered waste carrier
• Ask to see proof of registration
• Keep a note of who takes your waste

Only licensed carriers can legally remove and dispose of waste. Checking this is quick and helps stop fly tipping.

Cllr Nigel Stansfield, Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste, said:
“Most people want to do the right thing, but some don’t know the risks.

“If you give your waste to someone who is not licensed, it may be dumped illegally and you could be held responsible.

“Please take a moment to check before you hand anything over. It helps protect our communities and our environment.”

If you run a small business or need bulky items collected, the Council offers competitive services for these areas.

Residents can find more information about how to dispose of household waste safely on the Council website.